I can't believe it's Friday again AND that we're in the month of March, which means only 20 days until it's officially Spring! Although it has felt like Spring for like a month now. Here's my favorites for this week...

O N E

T W O



T H R E E
Workout Inspiration
"The body is a sacred garment. It's your first and last garment; it is what you enter life in and what you depart life with, and it should be treated with honor." - Martha Graham

"Take care of your body, it's the only place you have to live." -Jim Rohn

It think Martha Graham and Jim Rohn said it best. It's so important for us to take care of our bodies both physically and mentally, which is why regular exercise is so good for us- even when we don't want or don't feel that we have the time. I shared yesterday a little about what helped me when I felt like I was in a funk working out. Read that here.


F O U R
Oh laundry...
I just can't seem to keep up with laundry! I recently started throwing a load of laundry in every morning when I get up, but the problem is- I never get that load of laundry folded and put away haha. Maybe my goal this month should be to work on that.

Anyway, hubby recently ordered this drying rack from Amazon and I love it! I air dry most of my clothes and this drying rack hold lots of clothes and has wheels.

F I V E
March MATness
I probably won't be filling out a College basketball bracket this month, but I will be doing some March MATness. I'm a newbie to the Pilates March MATness fun (and 3 days late, but if you know me- I'm really good at being late haha)...But I'm going to join along with the MATness fun over on Instagram. Read about the March MATness Campaign here.

I'll be sharing the third exercise- The Roll-Over on Instagram today. Have a great weekend!

Hey there Friday. It's been a fast week, but maybe because I've been soaking up this wonderful weather instead of folding the mountain of laundry in the extra bedroom...priorities...But let's get to it and then I should really fold some clothes.

O N E 
Peanut Butter and Honey Cookies
Yum! So I made these last night and they were delicious...and guess what?! They were made with all Organic ingredients, 100% Whole Wheat Flour and no refined sugar. All the more reason I can have one with my breakfast, right? Seriously though, they were a hit with the whole family and even hubby didn't notice they did not have sugar in them. I love cooking with honey! I made them with Bob's Red Mill 100% Whole Wheat Pastry Flour and the recipe came right off of the back of the bag. The recipe called for 1 cup of Honey, but I think you could get by with less if you wanted. I couldn't get a good picture of the recipe, so here it is in case you want to try it as well. These would make perfect Valentine's Day Treats. Speaking of which, I do have plans of making some not so healthy Valentine's Sugar Cookies before Valentine's Day.
Peanut Butter & Honey Cookies (Makes around 30 cookies)
Ingredients:
1 3/4 cups Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Salt
1 cup Peanut Butter
1 cup of Honey
1/4 cup of Butter, softened
1 Egg, beaten
1 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract

Preheat oven at 350 and Grease a baking sheet (I used Coconut Oil Spray.)

Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, combine, peanut butter, honey, and butter. Then, add egg and vanilla extract and mix well. Slowly add flour mixture until combined.

Shape dough into balls (use about 2 tsp of dough per cookie) and place about 1 inch apart on the baking sheet. Using a fork, flatten each ball with a fork to make a crisscross pattern. Bake for around 10 minutes or until golden brown.

T H R E E
Chicken from Aldi
So I realized, after I shared my favorite Organic finds from Aldi earlier this week, I forgot something. (If you missed this post, check it out here.) Aldi also has a good price on boneless chicken breasts. Now, they are not certified USDA Organic, but I think they are the next best option- 100% Vegetarian Fed, No Antibiotics and No Added Hormones or Steroids. I paid $6.56 for a little over 1.5 lbs of meat.
So last night for dinner, I made Panko-Crusted Oven "Fried" Chicken using my package of chicken breasts from Aldi. You can find the recipe here. The only tweak I made was I added just a tiny bit of milk to my egg mixture. I used Ian's Original Panko Breadcrumbs to coat the chicken. It was delicious. We have a little bit left over, so I thought for dinner tonight I'd make some Honey Mustard to go along with it using this recipe.


F O U R
Blessing Box
So this is currently going on around Charlotte and I think it is such an amazing way for us to spread kindness and peace into our community. Basically, the Blessing Boxes are a place to encourage and share acts of kindness. Once you've done an act of kindness, you record it and place it in one of the Blessing Boxes found across Charlotte. Read more about it here. Later this spring, the slips of kindness will be used to create a public artwork.

You can find one of the Blessing Boxes at Charlotte Family Yoga Center.

F I V E
Blessing Bags
So feeling inspired to spread some kindness with the Blessing Boxes, I loved the idea of getting my little ones involved in this project and making "blessing bags" to give to others. I had my oldest paint the bags this week. This weekend, we're going to work on filling the bags with small snacks and treats.
Random Acts of Kindness Week is also next week (February 12-18th), so I thought the blessing bags would be a fun way to celebrate that and teach my kids about kindness. Here are some other great ideas to do with your kids.  Have a great weekend!

I totally understand how hard it is to workout with kids- especially when your kids are young and need a lot from mommy, including diaper changes, nursing, help using the potty, something to eat, and the list goes on. There is so much to get done everyday...right?!? Get laundry washed and folded. Prep dinner and get the dishes washed.

Some days look like this too if you stay home with your kids. They both need mommy (or in this case I jokingly say- poke your eyes and pull your hair out.) Even with all of that going on- it is SO important and good for you to workout! These are some ways I try to get my workouts in during the week.

1. Workout early in the morning before the kids get up and/or during the kids' nap time. 
Obviously this is my goal on days I am not teaching in the studio or I do not plan on going to Yoga class. Yes, this my ideal goal, but does it always happen? No! There are days I really do not want to get up early and I want to stay in bed for as long as possible...until little ones starting calling for me. And I love it when both kids nap at the same time, but this does not happen everyday either. And if they do nap at the same time- sometimes I've got to choose between working out OR making dinner, doing the dishes, and tackling the mountain sized pile of laundry. Even though I'd be sooo happy if I could accomplish all of this during nap time, but I'm not superwoman.

2. Go to a group fitness class WITH childcare.
I think it's such a genius idea for gyms, yoga studios, and fitness centers to offer childcare. I don't have to use this option very often, but it's nice to have available. Kids get to play and have fun and you get to workout (without distractions) sounds like a win in my book.

So when #1 or #2 doesn't work out, I result to either #3-6 or all of the below!

3. Roll out an extra mat for the kids and workout (or at least try...)
So I think my oldest LOVES Yoga/Pilates mats. In fact, I think she's claimed them as her own. And if I can't find my mat, it's probably because she has been playing with it. And its not uncommon to find toys on the mat. See below. Yes, Anna and Elsa do Pilates. My oldest loves to roll herself up in the mat like a burrito or pretend the mat is her bed (she folds the mat in half to make a blanket). So there you have it- mats double as toys in our house.

4. Encourage your kids to follow your workout and copy you!
I think it is so important to model a healthy, active lifestyle to your kids. Little ones love to mimic what they see grown ups do around them...and they pick up on so much that we often don't even realize at the time. That being said- my oldest loves to get on her mat beside me and try to do what I am doing. Yes, she'll do The Hundred and try Rolling Like a Ball. And we have fun together!

5. Have your kids help you workout.
It is as simple as that. Have your kids help you get things you need during your workout. "Hand mommy the weights, or the yoga block, the strap, the magic circle..." My oldest loves to help mommy, so this keeps her occupied at least for a few moments.

6. Pull out your their favorite snacks, toys, and you name it- and power through your workout.
Sometimes I'll work out when my oldest eats a snack in the afternoon. I'll get the snack out and then start working out. Or I'll pull out activities that she can do by herself that take a little time, such as play dough. One thing I don't do is turn the TV on while I'm working out. Maybe it is a silly rule I have, but I want to instill in my kids being active and I just can't justify turning the TV on just so I can workout.

I hope this motivates you or gives you some ideas to try so you can squeeze whatever workout you prefer into your day when you have little ones.

Happy Wednesday! Thanks for stopping by for the start of my new blog series- Workout Wednesday. Every Wednesday I'll be breaking down a Pilates Exercise for you with modifications- up this week is The Hundred. Before we get to the exercise, let's talk about why modifications are important.

One of the reasons I love the Pilates method is it is perfect for everyBODY. Regardless of age, fitness level, body shape, injuries, and wellness goals- Pilates is for you.

"But I have a knee injury or back pain or scoliosis or you fill in the blank, I can't do Pilates..."
Let's time out just for a minute for a little Pilates history lesson. Because I believe it's important to give credit to good ole' Joe. Joseph Pilates created his method because he was trying to improve his OWN health. As a child, Joe was very sickly and suffered both from asthma and rickets. Fun Fact- Joseph Pilates also developed much of the method during the First World War. To rehabilitate patients in the hospital on the Isle of the Man, he attached springs to a hospital bed to help strengthen patients who were unable to walk due to their injuries.



So there is no real reason why you can't do Pilates. You can modify the Pilates exercises to meet your current fitness level and needs. So whether you are a trying to to get back into shape after having a baby, rehabilitating a knee injury, or feeling like you're in the best shape you've ever been- Pilates is for you.

Why Modify Pilates Exercises? 
As a Pilates teacher, I strongly believe in modifying exercises as needed to help you build strength, utilizing proper alignment and technique without creating or worsening any current injuries or aliments. Pilates is all about engaging and activating muscles correctly and working out efficiently over doing so many repetitions incorrectly with poor body alignment. Your body gets absolutely nothing from working out this way except for injuries. So one last thing before we get to The Hundred- for each exercise I show you for Workout Wednesday, use the modifications I give you as needed.

The Hundred:
The Hundred is the first exercise in the Pilates Mat Series. This exercise focuses on breathing, getting the blood flowing, and warming you up for the matwork.


Steps:
1. Lie flat on your back on the mat and fold your knees into your chest. Arms are long by your sides. Drop your tail bone and feel each part of your spine connected to the mat.
2. Inhale, then on your exhale curl your chin into chest (lifting your head, coming up to around the tips of the shoulder blades) and extend your legs either into a table top, to ninety degrees, or forty five degrees (or lower.) It takes practice, but your goal should be to find this position in one motion with one breath.
3. Pump the arms straight up and down as if you were giving the floor an imaginary High Five. (Hands don't actually hit the floor. Arms stay lifted off of the mat.)
4. Inhale for five counts and exhale for 5 counts- This makes one repetition.
5. Continue pumping the arms with the same breathing pattern while keeping the abdominals working for 10 repetitions.
6. After your last repetition, fold your knees into your chest and give them a hug.


Modifications:
1. If you have a neck injury or neck pain, keep your head down on the mat for the entire exercise.
2. Place your legs in a tabletop position, if:
        a.) this is a new exercise for you- learn the proper form then advance the exercise by lowering the  
             legs to ninety degrees and then lowered towards the floor.
        b.) you are working on regaining strength in your abdominals for various reasons such as surgery  
             or postpartum mommas beginning to exercise again after baby.
        c.) you feel tension in your back when the legs are extended out long or there is a gap or
             "daylight" between your back and the mat.
3. Once you've become comfortable with The Hundred, try first extending the legs to ninety degrees (up to the ceiling.)
4. Then as you gain abdominal strength, try lowering the legs to forty five degrees.



Teacher Tips:
1. If at any point during the exercise you feel tension in your neck, put your head down on the mat. A small pillow or rolled up towel can be used here to rest the head and neck.
2. Keep your belly "scooped" by pressing your belly button into your spine, pushing the back of the rib cage into the floor, and thinking of sinking the belly to the floor. Each time you exhale, imagine you are trying to hollow out your abdominals.
3. Work up to full repetitions. If this a new exercise for you, you may want to begin with 2 to 5 repetitions.
4. Reminder: one repetition= 5 counts of breathing in through your nose and 5 counts of breathing out through your mouth.
5. Keep yourself honest and use the modifications to help yourself get stronger!

The Hundred is a great exercise for you to add into your current fitness regime- not just when you are doing a Pilates mat workout. Maybe give it a try before/after your run or before Yoga class or even first thing when you get up in the morning. Join me back next Wednesday for another Pilates Mat exercise.

Thanks again for joining me for Workout Wednesday!



P.S. for a sneak peek video of The Hundred with all modifications follow me on Facebook here. 

Attention Yoga Lovers! I've been talking lately about how Pilates will help you grow your Yoga practice. If you missed out on this read HERE and HERE first.


One of the most common questions I get asked as a Pilates teacher is "Pilates is just like Yoga, right?." My answer is always something like "Well, yes and no...but did you know Joseph Pilates (shocker, he's the guy in the picture above we can credit this great form of exercise to) studied and incorporated Eastern Philosophy into his method, including Yoga." I say all of that to get at- If you love Yoga, I'm 100% sure that you will also love Pilates. Here's why:

1. Pilates is all about the flow.
Beginning from the second you step onto your mat until you return to standing following Seal, your Pilates practice is continuous. There are no breaks. And because you don't have to change the settings on any equipment, you can really focus on finding the connection between each exercise. Yes, even the transitions are part of the workout.
Pictured above is the Side Series. To switch to the opposite side, you lie flat on your stomach and beat your heels together for 2 sets of 10 THEN roll to the other side.

2. You still get told by your teacher to breath.
Ever tried to count the number of times your Yoga teacher has told you to inhale and exhale during class? Yea, me neither, but I will say I don't think I could keep track. Breathing is SO important and both in your workouts and everyday life. "Breathing is the first act of life and the last. Our very life depends on it."- Joseph Pilates

As a Pilates teacher, I focus a lot on breathing with my clients as well. There are so many benefits to finding full inhalations and full exhalations in your matwork. Breathing gives your body energy as well as helps you control your movements on the mat during exercises. Did you know that breathing deeply also helps cleanse your bloodstream?

3. All you need for class is a Mat.
And of course water. I'm all about not needing anything special to do a workout. That also means that when I'm traveling or going on vacation I can still get a quick, efficient yet also challenging workout in without the need to take anything extra with me. Because if you have kids, you also know that there is NO extra room in the car (I pretty much have rationale with my husband why I need more than pair of shoes ha) especially for a mat. So usually when I'm out of town, I won't even bring my mat with me. I'll take two towels from the hotel or where ever we are staying and double them up on the floor.


Pictured above is Rolling Like a Ball, which is one of the Rolling Exercises found in the Mat Series. In this exercise, it is important to only roll back no further than the tips of your shoulder blades AND keep the chin tucked into your chest. I find that two towels provide the perfect amount of cushion for my spine as I am doing the Rolling Exercises if I do not have a mat.

So there you have it. Now go give Pilates a try for yourself.

Next up on the mat, Yoga with a side of Pilates. Downward Dog, Warrior Two, Crescent Lunge, followed by the Pilates 100 and 10 repetitions of each exercise in the Abdominal Series. That's what your Pilates teacher has ordered.

So if you didn't catch on yesterday I really believe adding Pilates to your workout can be a total game changer to your Yoga practice. (And if I'm being honest vice versa ... I found Pilates and then Yoga. I've found Yoga has helped increase my flexibility, which was hindering me in my Pilates practice, but that's another story for another day.)

In college, I was introduced to several mind-body modalities including both Pilates and Yoga. I found that both methods together helped me find the flexibility and core strength that I needed to improve as a dancer.